ISLAMABAD - The Supreme Court Friday issued notices to former federal minister of Pakistan Railways and summoned the investigation officers regarding corruption in the purchase of scrap iron during the last PPP government.
A three-member bench headed by Justice Mian Saqib Nisar was hearing the bail application of a Lahore-based businessman in Rs75 million iron scrap deal. The court issued notices to ex-minister Pakistan Railways Ghulam Ahmed Bilour, Advocate General Sindh, and the investigation officers in the case. Lahore-based businessman Jawad Ahmed, Director of Pakistan Steel Traders, is accused of illegally getting accredited Rs75 million of Pakistan Railways amount to his account. This money was to be paid back by Pakistan Steel Mills to Pakistan Railways but was accredited in Jawad's account in 2010. Though he received Rs75 million but supplied material to Railways worth Rs29 million.
According to details, the alleged beneficiaries of this Rs75 million also include a former federal minister for railways and three senior officers of PR.
Two years ago the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had arrested the businessman.
During the hearing, Additional Prosecutor General NAB Dil Alizai informed the court that the company neither returned rest of the scrap nor supplied scrap to the Railways, therefore, the businessman was arrested. The court observed other persons involved in allegedly getting bribe in the deal are freely moving.
The court inquired from NAB to inform why they had not arrested any Railways officer involved in the deal. The court told the accused counsel, Farooq Amjad Mir, if his client immediately can pay back Rs25 million and rest of the amount in instalments then they would consider granting him bail.
However, the counsel replied that his client could only deposit Rs15 million immediately. Upon that the bench said it was unacceptable and after examining the case thoroughly they would decide whether other people are involved in the deal and what charges are against them.
The court issuing notices to ex-Railways minister Ghulam Bilour and former investigation officer Ruman Zaheer, and the current IO Akram Dar and AG Sindh adjourned the hearing till February 16.